NHRC Issues Notice to Telangana Police Over False Accusations Against Allu Arjun in Sandhya Theatre Stampede

Hyderabad, May 23, 2025 – In a significant turn of events, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has issued a formal notice to the Telangana Police Department over their mishandling of the Sandhya Theatre stampede during the grand premiere of Pushpa 2: The Rule on December 4, 2024. The Commission has taken serious note of false allegations against Tollywood superstar Allu Arjun, holding the police accountable for critical lapses in crowd control and use of excessive force.

What Really Happened at Sandhya Theatre?

What was meant to be a celebration of cinematic stardom turned tragic when a massive crowd gathered at Sandhya Theatre, Hyderabad, to catch a glimpse of Allu Arjun. The situation spiraled into chaos, resulting in a stampede that claimed the life of 35-year-old Revathi and left her 8-year-old son Sri Tej critically injured.

Initial reactions blamed Allu Arjun, his security team, and the theatre management for the tragedy. The actor was even arrested on December 13, before being granted interim bail by the Telangana High Court the following day.

NHRC Slams Police Over Crowd Control Failure

The NHRC, acting on a petition by advocate Rama Rao Immaneni, has now turned the spotlight on the Telangana Police. The Commission has demanded a detailed Action Taken Report (ATR) from both the Telangana Director General of Police and the Hyderabad Police Commissioner within four weeks.

The Commission’s statement highlights:

• Lack of adequate crowd management.
• Reckless lathi charge by the police, which allegedly intensified the panic.
• No direct responsibility attributed to Allu Arjun, as per their preliminary assessment.

This intervention by NHRC is being seen as a major relief for the actor and a strong call for police accountability in managing large public gatherings.

Allu Arjun’s Response: Compassion Over Controversy

Despite the legal cloud, Allu Arjun responded with empathy. On December 25, 2024, his father Allu Aravind announced a ₹2 crore relief package for the bereaved family. The actor also personally visited Sri Tej at KIMS Hospital on January 7, 2025, showing solidarity and support.

Allu Arjun has remained visibly moved by the tragedy, consistently expressing sorrow and responsibility as a public figure — despite legal setbacks.

Legal Timeline: Shifting Focus from Celebrities to Systemic Gaps

• January 3, 2025: Allu Arjun granted regular bail by the Nampally Court.
• January 11, 2025: Court relaxes bail conditions, ending his weekly appearances at Chikkadpally Police Station.
• The Telangana High Court also barred police from arresting Pushpa 2 producers Yalamanchili Ravi Shankar and Yerneni Naveen, signaling a broader reconsideration of blame.

This evolving legal landscape now points toward institutional negligence, rather than celebrity recklessness.

Public, Political, and Fan Reactions

From Chief Minister Revanth Reddy to AP Deputy CM Pawan Kalyan, leaders across Telugu states emphasized the urgent need for:

• Better crowd control planning,
• A more humane approach from law enforcement and event organizers.

On social media, particularly X (formerly Twitter), fans rallied behind Allu Arjun. One viral post summed it up:

“When police go full ‘Pushpa: The Rule’ mode on fans, who’s really breaking the rules?”

What’s Next in the Sandhya Stampede Case?

As NHRC awaits the official Action Taken Report, the focus shifts toward:

• Justice for Revathi and her family,
• Stronger safety protocols for high-profile events,
• Institutional reforms in crowd and crisis management.

While the notice clears Allu Arjun of direct blame, he continues to offer support to the victims’ family. The legal and public narrative is now centered on systemic accountability.

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